07/13/2005

Airplane Wine

I'm off in a few hours to write about chi-chi shoe rehab in Paris and then to Beaune to profile an ex-journo who bought 2 hectares in Burgundy to live out his dream. This means I have to get on a plane tonight. Cattle class. And so, I will do what I always do, and it is an article that no one will let me write---I will pack my own wine.

Ever since 9/11 and the no corkscrew onboard era I've decanted into a plastic water bottle. This works beautifully. I can swig it before the glasses come as if it were fruit juice. No one really knows..... except for one time when I was busted in Biz class. The attendant came over to me and inquired about my wine. She said she recognized my technique. She and her fellow air stewards do it all of the time. (American Airlines, FYI).

A great technique. But you just can't take any wine. I found what works best are simple wines, fruity and minerally. Wood flavors do not work with plastic so avoid California or New World Wines. The hands down favorite is Beaujolais or gamay from the Loire. Perfect.

This is not the last word you've heard on the topic. Believe me. Now, if you have a story about wine in the air, could you let me know?

I'm hunting the Leon Trotskys, the Philip Roths, the Chaucers and the Edith Whartons of the wine world. I want them natural and most of all, I want them to speak the truth even if we argue. With this messiah thing going on, I'm trying to swell the ranks of those who crave the differences in each vintage, celebrate nuance and desire wines that make them think, laugh, and feel. Welcome.

And, if you'd like a signed copy of either THE BATTLE FOR WINE AND LOVE OR HOW I SAVED THE WORLD FROM PARKERIZATION or NAKED WINE, feel free to contact me directly.